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Crime & Safety

Edmonds PD: Outcome of Marijuana Initiative Is Still Unclear

According to federal law, marijuana is a controlled substance and therefore illegal to possess in any amount.

Here is a statement from Sgt. Mike Blackburn of the Edmonds Police Department on Initiative 502, which makes marijuana legal in small amounts:

"Given the passage of Washington State Initiative 502, which goes into effect 30 days after the election, i.e., December 6, 2012, it will be legal under state law for individuals 21 years of age and older to possess marijuana in designated amounts as defined in section 15(3) and section 20 of the initiative.

"What’s unknown at this point is the federal government’s response to the Washington initiative. According to federal law, marijuana is a controlled substance and therefore illegal to possess in any amount.

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"Washington State law enforcement agencies are looking to the State Attorney General for guidance on this issue.

"One provision of Initiative 502 to be aware of is that addressing motor vehicle operation while under the influence of marijuana, sections 31 through 37. 

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"This establishes a level of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration in the blood at which a person is considered “under the influence. It will be illegal to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of THC.

"For drivers under the age of 21, any THC in the blood while operating a vehicle will be against the law."

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